Sri Lanka Arrival Card
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was a mandatory immigration declaration form required for all arriving foreign nationals, completed online via immigration.gov.lk up to 3 days before travel.
It was discontinued in early 2025. As of October 2025, Sri Lanka demands an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) instead — apply at eta.gov.lk before departure.
What Was the Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was an immigration form that all foreign nationals were required to complete before entering Sri Lanka.
Introduced in January 2023, the card was completed online through the official Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration portal at immigration.gov.lk — up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival date.
The arrival card collected key traveler information: passport details, flight number, port of entry, and accommodation address in Sri Lanka.
Upon submission, visitors received a confirmation email with a reference number to present at immigration upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo), Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, or Galle Port.
The card was part of a broader digitalization of arrival and departure facilities by Sri Lanka immigration, replacing the paper-based disembarkation card previously handed out on flights.
Is the Sri Lanka Arrival Card Still Required?
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card is no longer necessary. The online system at immigration.gov.lk was discontinued in early 2025.
Travelers don’t need to complete this form before entering Sri Lanka.
The discontinuation caught many visitors off guard — particularly those who had previously used the system and were searching for the link, only to find it no longer working.
When Was It Discontinued?
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card online system was launched in January 2023 and discontinued in early 2025.
The exact discontinuation date has not been officially announced by Sri Lanka immigration, but forum reports from March 2025 confirm the system was already inactive by that point.
The physical arrival card — previously available at the airport as a backup when the online system was not working — is also no longer distributed.
What Replaced the Arrival Card?
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) replaced the arrival card as the primary pre-departure entry requirement for Sri Lanka.
The ETA is applied for online at eta.gov.lk and must be obtained before departure.
Key differences between the arrival card and ETA:
| Feature | Arrival Card (discontinued) | ETA (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | ❌ Discontinued | ✅ Active |
| Cost | Free | Paid |
| Portal | immigration.gov.lk | eta.gov.lk |
| When to apply | Up to 3 days before travel | Before departure (apply 3–5 days early) |
| Processing time | Instant | 24–72 hours |
Sri Lanka Arrival Card Timeline: 2023–2025
No single source covers the complete story of the Sri Lanka Arrival Card — from its launch to the rapidly changing ETA rules that followed its discontinuation.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 2023 | Sri Lanka’s online arrival card system launched via immigration.gov.lk. All foreign nationals were required to complete the form up to 3 days before travel. |
| Early 2025 | Sri Lanka Arrival Card discontinued. Online system deactivated. Physical cards at the airport were also discontinued. |
| October 15, 2025 | Sri Lanka makes an ETA mandatory pre-departure for all foreign nationals. |
| Current status | ETA is still the recommended entry authorization. Check eta.gov.lk for the latest conditions before travel. |
⚠️ NOTE: Sri Lanka’s entry requirements changed multiple times. Always verify the current status at eta.gov.lk and immigration.gov.lk before your trip.
How to Apply for the Sri Lanka ETA Online
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is now the primary entry requirement for most people visiting to Sri Lanka.
The ETA system replaced the old arrival card process and must be completed before travel. Applications are submitted online at eta.gov.lk.
1. Visit the official ETA website — navigate to the “Apply for an ETA” section.
2. Select travel type — choose either tourist, business, or transit ETA.
3. Enter personal details — full name (as on passport), nationality, date of birth, passport number, passport expiry date.
4. Provide information — arrival and departure dates, port of entry (e.g., Colombo, Mattala).
5. Enter accommodation details — hotel name and full address in Sri Lanka.
6. Review and confirm — double-check all entries before final submission.
7. Cover the ETA fee — online payment via credit/debit card or other accepted methods.
8. Receive confirmation — Save and print a copy or keep it on your phone for presentation at immigration.
Sri Lanka ETA: Required Documents
Before applying for the ETA, make sure you have:
- Passport — with a minimum of 6 months’ validity beyond your travel dates
- Accommodation booking — full address required
- Payment method — credit/debit card for the ETA fee
- Trip information — necessary details about the trip
The ETA is now mandatory for most visitors. Travelers from certain countries may be eligible for visa exemptions; check the official ETA website for details.
Who Needed Sri Lanka Arrival Card
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was needed for all foreign visitors regardless of nationality — no exemptions applied.
Every traveler entering Sri Lanka (except Sri Lankan citizens) was required to complete the form.
As of 2025, the arrival card is discontinued for all nationalities. The ETA rule and eligibility vary — check the current status at eta.gov.lk.
Sri Lanka Arrival Card Cost & Fees
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was completely free of charge. No fee was required to complete or submit the online form at immigration.gov.lk.
There were no processing fees, service charges, or government fees associated with the arrival card.
The replacement ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is a paid document. The fee varies depending on nationality and permit type.
| Document | Cost | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Arrival Card (discontinued) | Free | immigration.gov.lk (inactive) |
| Sri Lanka ETA (current) | Paid | eta.gov.lk |
What to Do Instead: Apply for the Sri Lanka ETA
Since the Sri Lanka Arrival Card was discontinued in 2025, travelers must apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) at eta.gov.lk before departure.
The ETA process takes 10–15 minutes to complete, and approval is typically granted within 24–72 hours.
The ETA is the primary pre-departure entry authorization for Sri Lanka. It replaced both the arrival card and the previously available visa on arrival.
Sri Lanka Arrival Card Synonyms & Related Forms
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was known by several names — all referring to the same discontinued immigration document.
Understanding these synonyms helps travelers searching for information under different terms.
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was the same as:
- Landing card — the most common informal name
- Disembarkation card — the term used by official immigration sources
- Entry form — informal name used in travel forums
- Immigration form — informal name used in trip advisories
- Passenger card — informal name used in some airline communications
- Arrival and departure card — the full official name of the combined document system
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card is NOT the same as:
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) — a separate, paid pre-departure authorization; the current replacement for the arrival card
- e-Visa — a different document type (also discontinued as of 2025)
- Visa on arrival — a different entry method (discontinued in 2025)
If you are searching for the “Sri Lanka landing card,” “Sri Lanka disembarkation card,” or “Sri Lanka immigration form,” these all refer to the same arrival card, which was stopped in early 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Sri Lanka Arrival Card still required?
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was discontinued in early 2025. Travelers no longer need to complete this form. Check eta.gov.lk for the current entry conditions before your trip.
What replaced the Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) replaced the arrival card as the primary pre-departure entry requirement. Apply at eta.gov.lk before your trip.
Is there a fee for the Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was completely free of charge — no fee was required to complete or submit the online form. The replacement ETA has a processing price.
How early should I apply for a Sri Lanka ETA?
Apply for your Sri Lanka ETA at least several days before travel. Processing typically takes 24–72 hours, though approval can be faster. Do not leave it until the day of travel.
Do I need to fill out an arrival card in Sri Lanka?
No — the arrival card was discontinued in 2025. You will not receive a physical form on the plane or at the airport.
Where do I get a Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
The online arrival card system at immigration.gov.lk is no longer active (discontinued in 2025). For current entry requirements, visit eta.gov.lk.
What is the Sri Lanka Arrival Card?
The Sri Lanka Arrival Card was a mandatory immigration declaration form for all arriving foreign nationals, completed online via immigration.gov.lk up to 3 days before travel.
Can I get a physical arrival card at the airport?
A physical arrival card was available at Bandaranaike International Airport as a backup when the online system was not working. Since the card is now discontinued, physical forms are no longer distributed.